NEED TO CATCH up? The Journal brings you a round-up of today’s news.

IRELAND

Aoife Rose Hagan from Derry with her horse Mastermind at the RDS Horse Show photocall Ireland photocall Ireland

• Efforts were continuing to secure the release of Irish aid worker Gena Heraty, who was kidnapped along with several people from an orphanage in Haiti.
• Of the 1,000 car parking spaces that will be available at the new National Children’s Hospital, just 100 of them will be free-of-charge for families in need. 
• The number of children referred to the Irish Probation Service last year was the highest in ten years. 
• A new ‘Dead Zoo Lab’ opened at the National Museum to fill the gap left by the temporary closure of the Natural History Museum in Dublin. 
• The government was urged by TDs and Senators to engage with the EU to amend the law so the Irish Central Bank can refuse to facilitate the sale of Israeli State bonds. 
• The Irish ambassador to India described recent attacks on immigrants as “appalling” and “deeply at odds” with the values of Irish people.
• The FSAI ordered recalls for hummus and coriander products due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
• A man was charged as part of the investigation into the murder of 34-year-old Mark Carroll last year and was due to appear before a judge in Dublin this evening.

INTERNATIONAL

Donald Trump shouts at reporters from the roof of the West Wing Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

#ISRAEL: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly considering ordering the military to totally occupy the Gaza Strip in Palestine. 

#PALESTINE: Footage taken from a French military plane offered a rare glimpse of the extent of the devastation in the Gaza Strip. 

#USA: Bill and Hillary Clinton were called to testify in Washington DC about Jeffrey Epstein.

#TRADE WARS: Donald Trump said tariffs on pharmaceutical imports could go as high as 250%.

PARTING SHOT

ED SHEERAN MADE a surprise appearance at an Fleadh Cheoil in Wexford town this afternoon at the well-known Sky & The Ground pub.

Massive crowds gathered on the streets of the south-east town today, hoping to catch a glimpse of the English singer, who frequently cites his Irish roots.

He was joined by members of the Irish bands Biird and Amble and performed a number of his original songs as well as traditional Irish trad tunes.

You can read the full article and watch the video here.